On April 25th, Portugal celebrates Dia da Liberdade — the day of the Carnation Revolution.
All year round, colorful murals and graffiti across the city tell the story of a people who fought for — and continue to celebrate — their freedom. Walls are covered with slogans, portraits of revolutionaries, and carnations painted in fiery shades of red and white. Lisbon always remembers. But on April 25th, that memory comes alive more vividly than ever: in seas of flowers, in music that fills the streets, and in parades that make the city breathe freedom.
But what exactly happened on that historic day in 1974? And why do flowers, music, and the city itself play such a crucial role in this story?
The Night Everything Changed
On the night of April 24th to 25th, 1974, a seemingly harmless song played on the radio: *”E Depois do Adeus.”* For ordinary listeners, it was just a popular tune — but for a group of young military officers, it was the first secret signal: the revolution could begin.
Shortly after, a stronger signal followed: *”Grândola, Vila Morena”* by singer Zeca Afonso — a song banned under the dictatorship, but on this night, the unmistakable soundtrack of freedom. As its first notes rang out over the airwaves, the young officers knew: the revolution was underway. Tanks rolled slowly through Lisbon’s empty streets. Residents poured outside, not to fight, but to hand out flowers and embrace the soldiers. The uprising unfolded not with bullets, but with music, courage, and carnations.
Carnations in Gun Barrels
The carnations came from Celeste Caeiro, a waitress who had planned to hand out flowers at the opening of a new restaurant that day. When the event was canceled due to the unrest, she instead offered her red carnations to the soldiers in the streets. They placed the flowers into the barrels of their guns — a peaceful symbol that forever defined the image of the revolution. Within a few hours, Lisbon had transformed into a sea of carnations — covering squares, alleyways, and even the tanks rolling through the city. The revolution earned its name: Revolução dos Cravos — the Carnation Revolution.
Almost No Bloodshed
What makes this revolution so remarkable is how little blood was shed. While revolutions elsewhere often erupted into violence, the Carnation Revolution remained largely peaceful. Only a few casualties occurred, mainly around the notorious headquarters of the secret police PIDE. But overall, the revolution was marked by flowers, songs, and celebration.
Within a single day, the dictatorship’s grip on power crumbled like a house of cards.
A New Future
April 25th marked the end of nearly fifty years of oppression. Free elections followed, colonial wars ended, and Portugal embarked on a bumpy but hopeful journey toward democracy.
Since then, April 25th has been a national holiday. Once again, the streets echo with *Grândola, Vila Morena*, children carry carnations, and a spirit of joy and remembrance fills the air. Freedom is not only celebrated — it is cherished anew each year.
Celebrate Freedom in Lisbon
If you find yourself in Lisbon on April 25th, you’ll see the city at its most beautiful.
Head to Praça do Comércio or stroll down Avenida da Liberdade, where parades, concerts, and celebrations fill the streets. Be sure to visit the Museu do Aljube — a powerful museum dedicated to resistance and freedom, housed in a former political prison.
Or pause for a moment at the towering Ponte 25 de Abril, which spans not just the Tagus River, but also symbolizes the dawn of a new era.
And remember: wear red that day. You might just be handed a carnation — a small, silent tribute to a truly historic moment.
